Hardy Kiwi Scarlet Ambrosia (female) - Actinidia arguta

The Kiwaï Ambrosia (Actinidia arguta) is a productive and hardy variety, offering smooth-skinned fruits, green with red punctuations, very aromatic. This is a female plant that requires the presence of a male plant (like Nostino) nearby for pollination. The Kiwaï or Kiwiberry is a cousin of the kiwi, with smaller and sweeter fruits that can be eaten with the skin. It needs to be trained along a pergola, trellis, or arbour. Planting is preferably done in autumn (or in spring in regions with cold winters), for a harvest in September-October from the 2nd or 3rd year.

The Kiwaï (Actinidia arguta), also known as Kiwiberry or Hardy Kiwi, belongs to the Actinidiaceae family, just like its cousin the Kiwi (Actinidia chinensis or deliciosa). Native to Asia, it is a vigorous climbing vine, reaching 5m (16ft) in height. Its foliage is deciduous. The Kiwaï is very hardy, capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -20°C. The stems bear large heart-shaped leaves, 8 to 10cm (3 to 4in) long, with fine teeth ending in bristles. In early summer (June-July), fragrant and nectar-rich flowers appear, white-green in colour with purple anthers, grouped in threes at the axils of the leaves.

For female plants, flowering is followed by the formation of ovoid berries, smaller than kiwis (2 to 4cm (1 to 2in) in diameter), with smooth and thin skin. The taste of kiwaï resembles that of gooseberries. It is sweeter than regular kiwi and richer in calcium and vitamin C. From the second or third year of planting, the Ambrosia variety will yield small fruits with green skin and flesh. Please note that this variety is not self-fertile. This is a female plant that requires the presence of a male plant like Nostino nearby for pollination. Just like kiwi, one male plant can pollinate several female plants.

The beauty of the Kiwaï, both in terms of its foliage and its fragrant flowering, makes it a plant also used for garden decoration. It is necessary to train this plant on a sturdy support, such as a wall with strong wires, a trellis, a pergola, a tree trunk, or a fence. This fruit is very popular with children because it can be picked and eaten straight from the garden. Harvesting takes place from late September to October. The fruits can be easily stored in the refrigerator for about two weeks after harvesting. Keep them separate from other fruits to prevent them from ripening too quickly. The flavour of kiwaï is well-suited for modern cuisine, enhances the aroma of fruit salads, and lends itself to the preparation of sweet and savoury dishes.